haruspex

Definition

A soothsayer or priest in Ancient Rome (originally Etruscan) who practiced haruspicy, divination by inspecting entrails.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin haruspex.

Example Sentences

• "If it be lawfull for Panæcius to maintaine his judgement about Aruspices, Dreames, Oracles and Prophecies[…]: Wherfore shall not a wise-man dare that in all things, which this man dareth in such as he hath learned of his Masters?"
• "All of this is nonsense, but so are all attempts to look at a few successes and a few failures and make fatuous generalizations based on coincidence. Etruscan and Roman haruspices did the same thing with the entrails of chickens."